The internal audit function is an independent and objective assurance and consulting activity that evaluates and improves the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control processes in an enterprise. The internal audit function has a role in defining the EGIT target state, which is the desired state of information and technology governance in an enterprise that is aligned with its strategy, objectives, and stakeholder needs. The role of the internal audit function in this process is to provide advice and assist with target-state positioning and gap priorities. This means that the internal audit function can help to identify the current state of information and technology governance in an enterprise, assess the gaps and issues that need to be addressed, determine the target state of information and technology governance that is optimal for the enterprise, and prioritize the actions and initiatives that are required to achieve the target state. The internal audit function can also provide assurance on the design and implementation of the EGIT target state by evaluating its adequacy, effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance.